WARM START TO THE WEEKEND: Highs remain in the 80s across Alabama today and tomorrow, about ten degrees above average for early April. While we note some scattered light rain over West Alabama early this morning just before sunrise, most of the state will be dry today with only isolated showers this afternoon.
Widely scattered, random showers/storms are possible tomorrow afternoon, but an organized area of rain and thunderstorms will move through the state tomorrow night and Easter Sunday ahead of a cold front. SPC has removed the “marginal risk” of severe storms for the northwest part of Alabama for tomorrow night; with limited instability and weak dynamic support we just don’t expect thunderstorms to reach severe limits.
Most of the rain for the northern half of Alabama will come tomorrow night into Sunday morning, for the southern counties the best chance of rain comes Sunday afternoon. Rain amounts will be in the 1/2 to 1 inch range for North Alabama, with around 1/2 inch to the south. Sunday will be cooler with highs in the upper 60s and low 70s for most communities.
NEXT WEEK: The week looks dry with sunny pleasant days and fair cool nights. Morning lows will be in the 40s, afternoon highs in the 70s through Thursday. Friday will be warmer as 80s return to most of the state. Still no sign of any late season frost/freeze threat… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1974: The “Super Outbreak” was underway, the most violent tornado outbreak ever recorded, with 30 violent (F4 or F5 rated) tornadoes confirmed. From April 3–4, there were 149 tornadoes confirmed in 13 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario. In the United States, the tornadoes struck Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York. A total of 335 people lost their life, and over 6,000 were injured that horrible night.
In Alabama, 86 were killed, and just under 1,000 were injured. The most violent tornado tore through Guin, in Marion County, where 23 lives were lost. It is considered to be one of the most violent ever recorded in the nation. Other communities hard hit included Jasper, Cullman, Tanner, Harvest, Hazel Green, and Huntsville.
Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
